Israel Railway Strike in Third Day, Peace Prospects Are Dim

July 6, 1961

TEL AVIV (Jul. 5)

Israel’s railway strike was in its third day today, and all of the country’s trains were laid up, as railroad maintenance workers, clerks and signalmen resisted requests from leaders of Histadrut, the Israel Federation of Labor, that they return to work. While negotiations continued, there seemed no prospect of an early end to the strike. The strikers are demanding higher wages.

Industrial concerns throughout the country are already feeling the effects of the strike, as raw materials have run short and other necessary materials were held up. Interurban bus companies and other non-rail travel facilities have stepped up their schedules, number of runs and passenger capacity.